Aerostar-unlimited message board

**Posts:** 14

Best shocks

**Posts:** 20

I believe you & I have disagreed about shocks before, Bear River.    confuse

I made a remark about Sesnsatrack HD Loadleveler coilovers I run on the rear &
regular HD Sensatracks I run up front on the "other" ford truck site.

Mine are far from mushy and have yet to wear out in over 100K miles. I hauled over 10,000 lbs on my 16 foot tandem axle flatbed trailer with a tongue load around 850 lbs from Virginia to Florida, it was a breeze. My GVW was 13,780. So much for not towing a lot or very far with an Aerostar too, I guess, maybe, Huh?

It corners excellent with huge 225-75R 15 tires on the Grand Marqis alloy 8" X15" wheels & I'm very satisfied. They probably cost less than 1/2 what it would on KYBs.

Additionally, since they're coilovers they help remedy the 230K + miles on my OEM rear coils.  Van actually sits up there rather well in fact. Look at pix I posted, Both have same wheels Tires & shocks. Nothing at all shabby about their stance there.

The Sensatracks are "Progressively Valved", using nitrogen over oil for hydraulic dampening action. They are a tad rough to install with coilover design. It can be done by dropping the entire rear axle then lifting in place using a pin to locate and align the bolt holes.

I have seen the Pep Boy "special" shocks that sell & 4 for $59.95 + installation leak and get mushy, backing out the door almost and I have seen most low end shocks go bad over several 1000 miles. But I have not had that happen with the top end Monroe Products, they do come with a guarentee . . . . Just my $.02 on shocks.

FBp

**Posts:** 14

You know, I haven't used the coilovers. But my mom's Aerostar is not the only vehicle I have used Monroe shocks in with disappointing results. I used the Reflex in my '90 Mazda pickup, and they also went south very quickly.

Those coilovers do sound like a great idea though.

**Posts:** 48

Good info, my van has a perfect stance and its all original suspension front and rear except for new coils in the back cause the originals broke.

-- Edited by 4x4Aero at 08:53, 2009-02-23

**Posts:** 20

Google LOADLEVELERS and it should bring you to their Site.
Google Advance Auto Parts and they have a great price for a pair

I believe Monroe woke up and realized they needed to pick up their technology if they were going to compete with Bilstein, KYB, el Rancho and all the other performance oriented shocks on the Market today.

FBp

**Posts:** 14

Did a little more dealing with people. Monroe has not improved their quality. The load levelers are better than their standard stuff. Pray tell, you were hauling how much with your van? I was under the impression that the maximum trailer weight an Aerostar can handle is about 4,800 lbs. Beyond that, there is a danger of the trailer driving you. Plus that is a lot a strain on the engine and transmission. I mean I guess by keeping the tonque weight down you are probably fine. I don't use the trailer much anymore, but the weight I handle in mine is a lot more than 850 lbs. I have hauled as much as 2500 lbs inside the van. The KYB shocks handle that very well. But I do need better springs. I actually have a set of air rides that I will be installing in mine quite shortly. I am routinely hauling in excess of 1000 lbs in the back f the van, and the cargo springs alone squat down pretty good. I have the on board compressor already installed, just need the air rides put in place.

Even so, I have still had problems with every Monroe shock that I have used.